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New wing at St. Luke's to debut in December

Wing will make use of natural environment

A new 15,000-square-foot wing at St. Luke's Hospital in Columbus will combine a six-bed patient wing and therapeutic gym for one-on-one physical, occupational and speech therapy.

Gina Malone/For the Times-News

By Gina MaloneTimes-News correspondent

Published: Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, June 21, 2013 at 3:46 p.m.

A new wing at St. Luke's Hospital in Columbus, under construction since November, is on schedule for completion in December.

“Our staff has, for many years, successfully worked around tight spaces, outdated surroundings, and limited IT infrastructure,” CEO Ken Shull said in a recent news release. “But it's time to spread out, spruce up and connect, and we are able to grow because of our community's support.”

The 15,000-square-foot structure will combine a six-bed patient wing and therapeutic gym for one-on-one physical, occupational and speech therapy. These improvements represent the first phase of projects in a plan to eventually replace the building constructed in 1972.

At that time, said Shull, the building was “state-of-the-art,” a replacement for a 1929 stone structure in Tryon that later became known as the Jervey-Palmer building.

St. Luke's current building “has served us well,” Shull said. However, he added, “The industry is changing. We're going through a strategic planning process right now.”

More spacious patient rooms in the new wing will be the prototype for future rooms. At 285 square feet, the rooms provide more than double the space of the old rooms. This will provide more comfort for family members visiting a patient, and offer patients more room to maneuver. Bathrooms will be full-sized and wheelchair-accessible, Shull said, with a shorter distance required to reach them from the bed.

Another important element will be the integration of the surrounding natural environment as an aid to help patients heal, with each room containing large windows. Current plans for the building reflect a 90-degree change in orientation, Shull said, from original plans in order to take advantage of the best views to the north and south.

A hallway running along the back side of the wing will also be glass-walled and, after the elimination of an existing wing, will overlook a wooded area. Trees, as much as possible, are being left in place to add to the aesthetics, and a stone fireplace will be a focal point in a large family waiting room.

The other half of the new wing will house a therapeutic gym with equipment, including elliptical machines and treadmills, and an area for aquatic therapy. Patients will have access to an underwater treadmill, a unit that when filled with water allows patients to move while a therapist notes progress by way of a clear-vision panel. Private treatment rooms will also be available for one-on-one therapy sessions.

Plans for the gym also include areas for helping patients regain the mobility needed to do everyday tasks such as getting in and out of a car and move around in a kitchen.

The entire wing was designed for patients recovering from general and orthopedic surgery. The idea, Shull said, was to design everything for the ease of the patient. To that end, he said, staff members worked alongside an experienced health care facility architect.

In order to accommodate construction, it was necessary to relocate several offices, including Dr. Brian Rosenberg's orthopedic practice. Rosenberg Bone and Joint is now at 89 W. Mills St. in Columbus. This building was purchased by St. Luke's Hospital and renovated. T

he location allows for easier parking and access to the building, with 68 flat spaces, and no entrance ramps or stairs. A larger waiting room was also part of the renovation.

An open house at Rosenberg's new office will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. July 10. The community is invited for refreshments, a ribbon-cutting and tours of the newly renovated building. Those wishing to attend are asked to call 894-2693 or 894-2408.

The St. Luke's Hospital Foundation also occupies a portion of this building. The foundation, Shull says, has been instrumental in getting the construction project off the ground, pledging $2 million toward the overall cost of $5.6 million.

“That's terrific community support,” Shull added.

Kathy Woodham, director of public relations and marketing, said the Paving the Way campaign is ongoing. Engraved bricks and pavers to be used in a winding walkway at the entrance to the new wing may still be purchased. For more information about honoring or memorializing a loved one, contact the St. Luke's Foundation at 894-2693.

St. Luke's Hospital has been serving the region for more than 80 years. This is the first major facility upgrade since 1991 when a new Intensive Care Unit was added.

<p>A new wing at St. Luke's Hospital in Columbus, under construction since November, is on schedule for completion in December.</p><p>“Our staff has, for many years, successfully worked around tight spaces, outdated surroundings, and limited IT infrastructure,” CEO Ken Shull said in a recent news release. “But it's time to spread out, spruce up and connect, and we are able to grow because of our community's support.”</p><p>The 15,000-square-foot structure will combine a six-bed patient wing and therapeutic gym for one-on-one physical, occupational and speech therapy. These improvements represent the first phase of projects in a plan to eventually replace the building constructed in 1972. </p><p>At that time, said Shull, the building was “state-of-the-art,” a replacement for a 1929 stone structure in Tryon that later became known as the Jervey-Palmer building.</p><p>St. Luke's current building “has served us well,” Shull said. However, he added, “The industry is changing. We're going through a strategic planning process right now.” </p><p>More spacious patient rooms in the new wing will be the prototype for future rooms. At 285 square feet, the rooms provide more than double the space of the old rooms. This will provide more comfort for family members visiting a patient, and offer patients more room to maneuver. Bathrooms will be full-sized and wheelchair-accessible, Shull said, with a shorter distance required to reach them from the bed.</p><p>Another important element will be the integration of the surrounding natural environment as an aid to help patients heal, with each room containing large windows. Current plans for the building reflect a 90-degree change in orientation, Shull said, from original plans in order to take advantage of the best views to the north and south. </p><p>A hallway running along the back side of the wing will also be glass-walled and, after the elimination of an existing wing, will overlook a wooded area. Trees, as much as possible, are being left in place to add to the aesthetics, and a stone fireplace will be a focal point in a large family waiting room.</p><p>The other half of the new wing will house a therapeutic gym with equipment, including elliptical machines and treadmills, and an area for aquatic therapy. Patients will have access to an underwater treadmill, a unit that when filled with water allows patients to move while a therapist notes progress by way of a clear-vision panel. Private treatment rooms will also be available for one-on-one therapy sessions.</p><p>Plans for the gym also include areas for helping patients regain the mobility needed to do everyday tasks such as getting in and out of a car and move around in a kitchen. </p><p>The entire wing was designed for patients recovering from general and orthopedic surgery. The idea, Shull said, was to design everything for the ease of the patient. To that end, he said, staff members worked alongside an experienced health care facility architect.</p><p>In order to accommodate construction, it was necessary to relocate several offices, including Dr. Brian Rosenberg's orthopedic practice. Rosenberg Bone and Joint is now at 89 W. Mills St. in Columbus. This building was purchased by St. Luke's Hospital and renovated. T</p><p>he location allows for easier parking and access to the building, with 68 flat spaces, and no entrance ramps or stairs. A larger waiting room was also part of the renovation.</p><p>An open house at Rosenberg's new office will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. July 10. The community is invited for refreshments, a ribbon-cutting and tours of the newly renovated building. Those wishing to attend are asked to call 894-2693 or 894-2408.</p><p>The St. Luke's Hospital Foundation also occupies a portion of this building. The foundation, Shull says, has been instrumental in getting the construction project off the ground, pledging $2 million toward the overall cost of $5.6 million. </p><p>“That's terrific community support,” Shull added. </p><p>Kathy Woodham, director of public relations and marketing, said the Paving the Way campaign is ongoing. Engraved bricks and pavers to be used in a winding walkway at the entrance to the new wing may still be purchased. For more information about honoring or memorializing a loved one, contact the St. Luke's Foundation at 894-2693.</p><p>St. Luke's Hospital has been serving the region for more than 80 years. This is the first major facility upgrade since 1991 when a new Intensive Care Unit was added.</p>